DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines pastor was arrested Wednesday after police claimed he exposed himself to one of his parishioners, according to court documents.
47-year-old Jose Artero is charged with the following:
- Sexual exploitation by counselor or therapist
- Assault with intent to commit sexual abuse
Artero was a pastor at Palabra Viva in Des Moines when he reached out to a parishioner via Facebook Messenger in November 2022, court documents say.
On Facebook Messenger, Artero allegedly discussed the victim's relationship problems and offered to come to her house.
Artero then went to the victim's residence, where he exposed his penis to the victim. The victim told Artero to leave.
"The defendant did admit if the victim would have allowed, he would have had sex with her," the criminal complaint against Artero reads in part.
Artero was taken to Polk County Jail, but was released on Thursday afternoon.
Artero is still listed as pastor on the church website.
Local 5 will update this story as more information becomes available. Download the We Are Iowa app or subscribe to Local 5's "5 Things to Know" email newsletter for the latest.